2 SOLDIERS CHARGED FOR XMAS EVE MURDER

SITEKI – Two soldiers have been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly killing a 37-year-old man of Mampempeni on Christmas Eve.

Johannes Mbango Fakudze (51) is a soldier based at Mbangweni, while Mlungisi Quinton Majanana Fakudze (47) is based at Phocweni. They both hail from Mampempeni area under Chief Mshengu. They were part of six men who killed a man on Christmas Eve after they were allegedly told that the deceased was one of the suspects who had slaughtered a stolen cow in the area. Norman Tsabedze was certified dead upon admission to the Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital (GSCH). It was gathered that Johannes was heavily assaulted by members of the deceased’s family after the incident and was admitted to the GSCH.

Bail

As a result, bail was not granted to the accused persons considering the fact that the situation at Mampempeni was still volatile. Yesterday, the eight accused persons appeared before Siteki Magistrate Machawe Bhembe and were remanded  in custody pending their bail application at the High Court. They are expected to appear at the Big Bend Circuit Court next Thursday, where their matter will be committed to the High Court. The accused persons allegedly assaulted Tsabedze with sticks several times all over the body and he succumbed to the assault wounds.

In count one, the accused persons are charged with murder in that upon on or about December 24, 2021, and at or near Mampempeni area under the Lubombo Region, the said accused persons, either one or all of them acting jointly in furtherance of a common purpose, did wrongfully and unlawfully kill one Norman Tsabedze by assaulting him with sticks several times all over the body and did thereby commit the said offence.

In count two, accused number one (Johannes Mbango Fakudze), accused number three (Sandziso Fakudze) and accused number five (Daniel Boy Maseko) are charged with the offence of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) in that upon or about December 24, 2021, and at or near Mampempeni area in the Lubombo Region, the said accused persons, either one or all of them acting jointly in furtherance of a common purpose, did wrongfully and unlawfully assault one Sanele Brian Mhlanga with sticks several times all over the body with intent to cause GBH and did thereby commit the said offence.

Confirmed

A family member of the deceased, Make Mkhabela, confirmed that her relative was murdered, but asked not to comment further as they were still traumatised.
Sigcaweni Bucopho Mandlenkosi Tsabedze confirmed the matter. “The situation is bad but I am still going to meet the family and send our condolences as inkhundla. I heard that the deceased’s cousin allegedly assaulted the soldier who was part of the mob. I will gather more information tomorrow after meeting the family,” he said. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. Meanwhile, this publication yesterday reported that 14 deaths were recorded over the past Christmas weekend.

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